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Daredevil: Born Again – The Kingpin and the Devil, Locked in an Eternal Struggle
The dynamic between Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio extends far beyond the screen. Off-camera, it’s a clear display of mutual respect and admiration between two friends who also happen to be co-stars. However, when they inhabit their Marvel characters, Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk, the air crackles with a palpable tension, a simmering conflict ready to ignite at any moment.
The Disney+ series "Daredevil: Born Again" dives headfirst into this complex relationship. In the opening moments of the premiere episode, Fisk, the formidable former Kingpin of crime in New York City, delivers a line to his nemesis, Murdock, that encapsulates their complicated dynamic: "It’s not entirely unpleasant seeing you again." This seemingly innocuous greeting belies a history of violence, betrayal, and a deep-seated understanding of each other’s motivations.
The scene unfolds in a diner, a neutral ground where both men attempt to navigate a semblance of civility. But the fragile peace quickly crumbles as their conversation shifts from veiled barbs to outright aggression. The stakes, as always, remain high: the fate of New York City hangs in the balance, caught between the vigilante justice of Daredevil and the Machiavellian schemes of the Kingpin.
The actors themselves acknowledge the vital role their rivalry plays in their characters’ lives. Charlie Cox, drawing a parallel from his own life, explains, "I’m a big soccer fan. My team is Arsenal and our big nemesis is Tottenham. The question becomes, would I want them to not exist? And the answer is no. I want them to be there, because I want to beat them." This analogy highlights the idea that Daredevil and Kingpin, despite their animosity, push each other to be better, to define themselves in opposition to the other.
Vincent D’Onofrio elaborates on the psychological depth of their connection, stating that Murdock and Fisk are "very passionate characters. They’re struggling and they’re both broken, in a way. The metaphor could be two vampires struggling to live in the daylight.” This powerful imagery suggests that both men are tormented by their own inner demons and that their conflict is a desperate attempt to find meaning and purpose in a world that often misunderstands them.
"Born Again" serves as a continuation of the critically acclaimed "Daredevil" series that originally aired on Netflix from 2015 to 2018. The revival aims to recapture the dark, gritty atmosphere that made the original so compelling. Importantly, "Born Again" integrates Daredevil and Kingpin into the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Cox’s Daredevil made brief but memorable appearances in the movie "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and the comedic series "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law." D’Onofrio’s Kingpin resurfaced as a significant antagonist in the Disney+ shows "Hawkeye" and "Echo," laying the groundwork for his resurgence in "Born Again."
For D’Onofrio, these earlier MCU appearances were merely a prelude to the main event. “Our goal was ‘Born Again’ and for it to have that same feel (as) the Netflix show, and so I was really just sort of waiting to do that again,” he confesses, underscoring the importance of maintaining the character’s established tone and complexity.
The new series finds both Fisk and Daredevil at pivotal junctures in their lives. Daredevil previously dismantled Kingpin’s criminal empire, but now their paths converge once again. Fisk, in a stunning turn of events, successfully runs for mayor of New York City, employing his own brand of ruthless tactics, often blurring the lines of legality and morality. Meanwhile, Murdock, having retired his Daredevil persona following a personal tragedy, is forced to reconsider his decision in the face of rising anti-vigilante sentiment and Fisk’s growing influence. The city desperately needs the man without fear.
Charlie Cox emphasizes the duality of Matt Murdock’s character: “Matt Murdock is more of a lie than Daredevil is true. He’s the lawyer trying to function within ordinary rule of law, but at the same time he is deceiving pretty much everyone.” This internal conflict is at the heart of Daredevil’s appeal, as he constantly grapples with the tension between his legal obligations and his desire to protect the innocent through extralegal means.
Cox further explains that Murdock leans into “the antithesis of what a hero is and can cross over into the darkness on numerous occasions." The British actor adds, "He feels like he is physically being pulled in two different directions." This constant struggle to reconcile his two identities, the lawyer and the vigilante, is what makes Daredevil such a compelling and relatable character.
D’Onofrio offers insight into Kingpin’s character through his sartorial choices: “What fills the suit is more interesting than the suit itself.” He relishes playing Fisk in situations that highlight his fish-out-of-water status, whether in the political arena or in his domestic life. "The more dangerous he is and becomes, the more fun it is to see him sitting and having lunch with his wife. The things they talk about are so odd and so strange because she’s just as messed up, in a much different way. But still they make a great couple because of that.” This domestic dynamic exposes the inner workings of a deeply disturbed man.
The MCU is currently exploring complex political themes, with characters like Thunderbolt Ross and Wilson Fisk holding positions of power. This raises the question of how to navigate these potentially divisive storylines without mirroring real-world political divisions too closely. (Fisk’s story line, especially, reflects certain American leaders known for creating tribalism among constituents.)
D’Onofrio responds to this challenge by focusing on the human element of the character: “I approach him as a man first. I never go into work that day thinking, ‘Hey, I’m playing a bad guy.’ He has all these odd things about him, but I don’t play him twirling my mustache or anything typical.” He emphasizes the importance of finding the character’s underlying motivations and vulnerabilities, rather than simply portraying him as a cartoonish villain.
“There is a lot of us in our parts, and I think that helps make it different. But I don’t think about any politics or what’s going on in the world – only in the ‘Daredevil’ world,” D’Onofrio concludes, reaffirming his commitment to staying true to the character’s established lore and internal logic.
Both actors reflect on their initial approach to their characters during the Netflix series. Their professional relationship has deepened over time: “We trust each other a lot more,” D’Onofrio says. “It’s an incredible feeling to know that when I’m working on a set, that he’s somewhere in that studio working on (another) set. I know that whatever’s going on over there is good, because Charlie’s the lead and he’s not going to let anything look stupid.”
Cox recalls a key goal of the first season that continues to inform their performances: “If you’ve just turned on the show in the middle of a season and you didn’t know anything about these characters, it would not be clear to you who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. As an audience, you have to work a little harder to mine the good deeds from the ultimately nefarious ones.” This ambiguity and moral complexity remain central to the appeal of "Daredevil: Born Again," promising a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of the eternal conflict between good and evil.
